Frank Lampard – Chelsea Legend

Article by e-Chelsea's Robert Wake

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How will Frank Lampard be remembered by Chelsea fans? Quite simply as a legend. It is a word much over-used by supporters when talking about former players, but in Lampard’s case it is entirely justified. His achievements for the club alone would grant him that status, but his persona and behaviour off the field set a fine example to youngsters who have admired and idolised him over 13 years at Stamford Bridge.

Frank was signed from West Ham United by Claudio Ranieri in the summer of 2001 for £11 million. He made his debut against Newcastle United on the opening day of that season, and scored the first of his club record 211 goals against Levski Sofia in a UEFA Cup tie at Stamford Bridge on 20th September. Frank made 53 appearances in his debut season, scoring seven times. The following season he scored eight goals in 48 appearances as Chelsea qualified for the Champions League and the club was bought by Roman Abramovich, which resulted in an influx of high profile players to the club. Despite the new arrivals, Lampard won the Player of The Year award in 2003-04, as Chelsea finished second in the Premier League, and were beaten by Monaco in the Champions League semi-final. That defeat signalled the end of Ranieri’s tenure under Abramovich, who appointed Jose Mourinho as his successor.

In 2004-05, Lampard scored a further 19 goals, including the two memorable strikes at Bolton as Chelsea added the Premier League title to the League Cup that they had won two months earlier. Individually, in addition to a second successive Chelsea Player of The Year award Lampard was named Sportswriters Player of The Year. The following season, Chelsea won the Premier League again, as Lampard netted 20 goals for the first time, and was named as runner-up in both the World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year.

The appearances and goals kept coming during 2006-07, with Frank scoring 21 times in a remarkable 62 appearances as the club won the League Cup again, as well as defeating Manchester United in the first FA Cup Final at the new Wembley Stadium. Despite missing part of the campaign through injury, and tragically losing his mother, he again reached the 20 goal mark the following season, the last of which was scored in the Champions League Final against Manchester United in Moscow.

Chelsea were back at Wembley the following season, with Frank fittingly scoring a long-range winner against Everton in the FA Cup Final. The following season, Frank amassed a career high of 27 goals as Chelsea secured The Double under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti. A further 13 goals were added to his ever growing tally in 2010-11 from 31 appearances.

Frank had won all there was to be won domestically, and in 2011-12 collected another FA Cup Winners medal, as The Blues defeated Liverpool in the final. He also played a key role in the club’s historic Champions League run, culminating in that glorious night in Munich. Lampard did not start the first leg in Naples, but returned for the second-leg, scoring a nerveless penalty to take the match into extra-time, and Chelsea into the quarter finals. There they met Benfica, with Lampard converting another penalty to help us into the unforgettable semi-final tie against Barcelona. Trailing 2-0 on the night, and down to ten men, Frank provided an inch perfect pass for the galloping Ramires to stun the Camp Nou, and lay the foundations for the spirited second-half performance that took us to the final. In the absence of the suspended John Terry, Lampard captained the team in Munich, and, as in Moscow four years earlier, confidently dispatched his penalty in the shoot-out as Chelsea finally, famously landed their Holy Grail.

In his penultimate season, Lampard registered another 17 goals, in the process breaking Bobby Tambling’s all time goal scoring record which had stood since 1970. Lampard’s 202nd and 203rd goals came against Aston Villa at Villa Park on 11th May 2013. Four days later, Lampard again captained.

Chelsea in a European final, leading the team to victory over Benfica in the Europa League Final in Amsterdam. The 2013-14 season proved to be Frank’s last in a Chelsea shirt, making 40 appearances, and adding a further 8 goals to his record. Frank’s 211th and final goal for the club was scored against Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on 5th April 2014, with his final appearance coming against Norwich City on 4th May 2014.

In total, Lampard made 648 appearances for the club, captaining on 83 occasions, and scoring 211 goals, of which 49 were converted penalties. He won 13 trophies over 13 seasons at the club; 4 x FA Cup’s, 3 x Premier League titles, 2 x League Cup’s, 2 x Community Shield’s, 1 x Champions League and 1 x Europa League.

Wherever Frank Lampard goes to end his illustrious career, he will go with the heartfelt thanks of the Chelsea supporters. A top player, a gentleman, and unquestionably a Chelsea legend. Thanks Frank.

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